Off to Siberia

Today we left Mongolia to fly to Siberia. The plane crew was dressed up in traditional Mongolian outfits and made our day! 

 As soon as we got off the plane, we went sightseeing. We stopped at a random house to see an example of traditional wooden carving the Russians used to do on houses. 

We then went to Znameskaya Cathedral, where the great Decembrist revolutionaries were buried. We had to cover our heads inside, so we needed up look like babushka's (old ladies)! 

Here's a close-up...

We had a group dinner where the food kept coming and coming. You know you're in Russia when all the tables were offered vodka every five minutes. Yikes. Here's some of the food... Fried corn, shrimp, salmon etc. We also got salad, stuffed pike, eggplant, meats, and more fish. It was a Siberian feast in the recently renovated Slobosa historic quarter! 

                             

Below is a picture of part of the historic quarter. There were many shops, restaurants and bars and lots of locals were out and about. 

                 

Tomorrow is going to be a very long day with our trip to Lake Baikal, so it's off to bed!